Library FAQs

How long can I check out a book?

Most books in the T. J. Jones Library can be checked out for 28 days. Exceptions to this check out policy are items on reserve, items in our Reference Collection and items in our Rare Book Collection/Archive Collection. See our complete circulation policy for more details (under “Library Services”).

How long can I check out a DVD?

DVDs and videos may be checked out for 5 days. There is a limit to how many any given patron can check out at one time (see our circulation policies under “Library Services”), and DVDs cannot be renewed. If a DVD or video is returned late the overdue fine is $1.00 per day.

How long will it take before I receive my interlibrary loan item?

Interlibrary loan items can take from as little as one day to as many as three weeks to arrive. It depends on how close the item is physically located to North Central University. Most of the time journal articles arrive in 2-4 days and books in about a week, but we cannot guarantee this. Students will want to keep this in mind as they request material for a paper or project so that enough time can be allotted to review material.

Can I place a hold on a book or DVD?

You can put a hold on most items in the T.J. Jones Library. Simply follow the steps below:

Go to the library catalog (northcentral.worldcat.org)

Find the item you would like to place on hold

Click on the title to open the item’s detailed record

Under the “Find a copy in the Library” heading, there will be a blue button labeled “Place Hold”

You will be prompted to log in (use your normal NCU username and password)

If you’d like, you can set the dates you’d prefer that the hold was active

You will be notified by email when your item is available

Items on reserve, periodicals and items in the Rare, Reference and Heritage collections cannot be put on hold.

NOTE: Once your hold takes effect (i.e., the book is returned and placed on hold for you or is pulled from the stacks for you) your item will only be held for 4 days, after which the hold will expire and the item will be reshelved.

Can I check to see what books I have out and/or see my fines?

Yes. In the library catalog (northcentral.worldcat.org) in the upper right corner of the page there is a small library icon for you to sign in to your library account. Use your NCU username and password to log in and see what you have checked out, as well as any fines on your account. NOTE: This login is separate from the “WorldCat” sign in just to the right of the library account icon. The WorldCat login is not associated with your library account—it is an account you can create to review books, keep lists and use other similar features of the catalog.

Does the library have a copier?

Yes, the copier is located on the basement level of the Library. Copies are $.10 per page. The machine accepts coins only (we extend our apologies for this).

Can I print off my paper at the library?

Yes, our computers print to a printer behind the circulation desk, and the fee is $.05 per page (black and white only).

How can I find an item that my professor put on reserve?

You can search course reserves using our library's online catalog, and there are several ways to access them. You can go to the library homepage (www.northcentral.edu/library) and click the “Course Reserves” link below the main search box in the first tab. Alternatively, on the main catalog page (northcentral.worldcat.org), there is a link to course reserves under the “Search” menu at the top of the page.

Can I renew my book?

Yes. Books may be renewed for an additional 28 days. Exceptions to this renewal policy are items on reserve, items that have been placed on hold, items in our Reference Collection, Children's Collection and items in our Rare Book Collection/Archive Collection.

How can I search for an item in the library?

To use the library catalog, either go to the main library website (www.northcentral.edu/library) and use the main search box, or go directly to the catalog at northcentral.worldcat.org

How can I request an interlibrary loan?

If the T.J. Jones Library does not have an item that you are looking for, we can often get it for you via interlibrary loan (ILL) at no cost to you. ILL request forms can be filled out online in one of two ways:

On the library website under “Library Services,” select “ILL Form: Books” to request a book, CD, or DVD, and “ILL Form: Periodicals” to request a journal, magazine or newspaper article. Fill out the form as completely as possible.

Some items can be requested directly from the catalog. In the library catalog, items that we do not own will have a blue button under the “Find it in libraries globally” heading of the item’s detailed record labeled “Request Item through Interlibrary Loan.” Click this button and supply your contact information (especially email address) to request the item.

How much are fines for overdue items?

Regularly circulating books are $.25 per day

Hourly reserve items are $1.00 per hour

Overnight, 3 day and 1 week reserves are $5.00 per day

All media (including DVDs, VHS, and audio materials) are $1.00 per day

All interlibrary loan items (ILLs) are $.50 per day

The flat fine for a lost item is $60. However, the final amount of a lost item fine will be adjusted (either up or down) at the time of payment according to the current market price for a new copy of the lost item, and will include a $5 processing fee. If a replacement item cannot be ordered (due to an item being out of print, etc.), the flat fee of $60 will apply. Lost item fees will be waived if the lost item is found and returned before a replacement copy is ordered, in which case the accrued overdue fees will be applied instead of the lost item fee.

How can I pay my library fines?

Students can pay library fines at the Circulation desk. We accept cash, and credit or debit cards for transactions over $5.00 (no checks please). Students with fines in excess of $2.00 will not be able to check out materials until they bring their fine total to $2.00 or less, and students with fines in excess of $25 will have a hold placed on their NCU account.

Does the library have a public fax machine?

No, the Library does not have a public fax machine. Students, staff, and faculty are asked to use the fax machine in the Mail Center located on the first floor of Miller Hall.

Can I checkout a magazine or periodical?

No. Magazines and periodicals do not circulate.

Can I save to the library computers?

No, saving to the library computers is not a good idea. The machines in the library are occasionally switched out for maintenance or upgrades, and there is no guarantee that the machine you used previously will be available when you return. Please bring a flash drive to ensure that you are able to save your documents.

I’m not an NCU student—can I get a library card?

The T. J. Jones Library is a private library for the use of the NCU community and does not issue library cards to the general public. Alumni and guests of the NCU community (including Assemblies of God ministers and missionaries, as well as Bethlehem College and Seminary students) can get cards for $10 per year. Please bring a photo ID if you are alumni or a guest of the NCU community and wish to apply for a card. Researchers interested in using the library to do biblical or theological research, especially on topics related to Pentecostalism, are welcome to call or email the library to arrange access.

What is the difference between my Library Account and my WorldCat account in the online catalog?

Your library account is the place where you can see what you have checked out, see due dates and fines, manage holds and other things related to your use of the T.J. Jones Library. Your WorldCat account, if you have one set up, is something you manage entirely on your own. It can be used for saving lists of books, tagging items, submitting reviews, saving searches, and other tasks of this sort. The T.J. Jones Library has no control over your WorldCat Local account.

Where is the Pentecostal Studies Collection?

For ease of browsing, the Pentecostal Studies collection (formerly housed on the first level in the West Sunroom) has been moved to the basement and interfiled with the Main Collection. Works on Pentecostal topics or written from a Pentecostal perspective are still designated with a “Pentecostal Studies” sticker and a pink label, and will still appear in the Pentecostal Studies collection in the library catalog.